Ex-mayor Koch to leave NYC hospital Saturday

NEW YORK (AP) — A spokesman says former New York City Mayor Ed Koch will get out of the hospital sooner than expected.

Spokesman George Arzt said today that Koch originally expected to remain over the weekend at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia hospital. But doctors changed their minds and decided to let him out Saturday instead.

He was admitted last Saturday night with fluid in his lungs and swollen ankles. Doctors have told the 88-year-old ex-mayor to limit his salt intake. He lost 15 pounds of water weight in the hospital.

Koch also was hospitalized in December with a respiratory infection and in September with anemia.